Keeping the pace

Marchand Ebersohn lives by Albert Einstein’s credo that “creativity is intelligence having fun”.
ELIZABETH JOSEPH
Elizabeth Joseph







Weathermen & Co always finds new ways to stay relevant in the industry, by welcoming new faces to their company.

Marchand Ebersohn, the creative director at Weathermen & Co, is the new not so new kid on the block. Ebersohn grew up on farm in the Free State between Sasolburg and Parys in South Africa. He was homeschooled for a few years which created unforgettable childhood memories.

“I had a love for art and music since a young age and took art very seriously, which opened the doors for me at AAA School of Advertising in Johannesburg,” he says.

He says ever since he pursued a career in advertising, the hours have always been long and strenuous, but nevertheless very fruitful.

“The AAA School of Advertising laid the foundation for ­­­working hard and it allowed me to learn endurance and to trust myself. I interned at advertising agencies during the holidays to get ahead of the rest of the class. This eventually got me a foot in the door to enter the world of advertising.

“I was blessed to win a couple of awards during my time at AAA and that’s when my career took off. I became a sponge, working my fingers to the bone to get the experience, moving from one agency to the next and learning from the best,” Ebersohn said.

Learning every day

Ebersohn said there is no easy way to explain a typical day at the office and he would have to write a book to help us fully understand.

“Every day is a learning experience in the office and this makes every day different than the last.

“To put it in simpler terms: we solve problems. No day is typical in our industry. Not one day is the same. Whatever you expected is more a philosophy and a dream. Sometimes a dream comes true, sometimes it’s a nightmare… but that’s why I love it,” he said.

Trials and triumphs

One of that challenges that served as a stone in the path of his career was moving from an ‘above-the-line’ to a digital agency.

“The biggest challenge in my career was to move from above-the-line to a digital agency. It was quite humbling, yet refreshing to be the dumbest person in the room.”

Above-the-line (ATL) advertising is traditional media as we know it, including print, television and radio advertising.

Digital advertising includes everything that lives on our screens.

Ebersohn said he and his colleagues function as a team.

His greatest triumph is still brewing at his new home, Weathermen & Co.

Ebersohn loves cats of all kinds, shapes and sizes, and says he finds inspiration in everything.

“From the paint texture on my bedroom rooftop when I open my eyes, to the mesmerising global digital world.”

Growth

In the next few years, Ebersohn wants to build the best creative agency on the African continent and solve problems from a consumer perspective, as well as for their clients. “In essence, to create work that solves problems, turning this screwed-up world into a better place,” he says.

He further looks forward seeing the agency grow and become an internationally recognised brand.